Kaplan Survey: Almost All Medical School Admissions Officers Expect Fierce Competition to Continue, With a Strong MCAT® Score as Key to Success
Business Wire•27/10/2026•08:55 ET
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Key Highlights
- ➤94% of medical schools expect 2026–2027 admissions competition to match or exceed 2025–2026
- ➤54,699 applicants sought U.S. MD-granting medical school admission, up 5.3% year over year
- ➤23,114 applicants sought DO-granting medical school admission, up 4.6% year over year
- ➤44% of admissions officers call a low MCAT score the biggest application deal breaker
- ➤98% of admissions officers consider MCAT scores important when evaluating candidates
Expert Statements
Rich Maraggio, Executive director of pre-health programs, Kaplan
“With medical school admissions expected to remain fiercely competitive, aspiring physicians need every advantage they can get. Just as surgeons rely on the right instruments, applicants need the right tools to succeed. One of the most powerful is a strong MCAT score, which can open doors that might otherwise remain closed. Our survey confirms that the MCAT remains a critical factor in admissions decisions. Ultimately, success comes down to building a highly competitive application, combining a strong MCAT score with rigorous academics and compelling personal and clinical experiences.”
Kaplan Survey: Almost All Medical School Admissions Officers Expect Fierce Competition to Continue, With a Strong MCAT® Score as Key to Success
Nearly all U.S. medical schools (94 percent) polled predict that the 2026–2027 admissions cycle will be at least as competitive as the 2025-2026 cycle, according to a new survey from global education company Kaplan.* This includes 6 percent who expect admissions to be much more competitive, 44 percent who anticipate somewhat greater competition, and 44 percent who believe competitiveness will remain about the same. Just 2 percent predict a less competitive cycle; and 4 percent aren’t sure.
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